This Month
How geopolitical tension is changing ANZ and its clients
Geopolitical risk is hitting boardrooms with a bang, with ANZ the first of the big four banks to create a specialised unit.
- Patrick Durkin
- Exclusive
- Construction
The banker and the builders want subcontractors to get Paid
Former Bendigo Bank boss Mike Hirst has invested in an app that could protect subcontractors – and shake up the lucrative market for building contracts.
- Michael Bleby
July
- Analysis
- Commercial real estate
The new risk lurking in banks’ commercial real estate lending
While working from home is a known risk for office towers, Citi highlights a new pressure point for lenders – the growing cost of the energy transition.
- James Eyers
Prudential watchdog halves $1b Westpac penalty
APRA will slash its $1 billion capital penalty levied on the bank four years after it was first implemented.
- Lucas Baird
ANZ lashed for charging fees to dead people
The Banking Code Compliance Committee said deficiencies in the bank’s compliance frameworks for dealing with deceased estates were “deeply concerning”.
- James Eyers
June
Judo Bank poaches APRA’s top bank supervisor
Renee Roberts, who led the prudential regulator’s bank supervision teams, will from September join one of the companies she monitored as chief risk officer.
- James Eyers
May
APRA tightens Mercer’s super licence over risks, compliance failures
The watchdog has forced Mercer Super to bring in external compliance experts after finding several breaches of its legal duties.
- Hannah Wootton
April
- Investigation
- Shares
Broking bad: ASIC ‘threat’ fears about Morgans revealed
The corporate cop dealt with problems brewing at leading stockbroker Morgans for three years before a public crackdown. New documents detail the scale of its concern.
- Liam Walsh
Building materials supplier Lutum goes into administration
The move by directors to try and salvage the Boral spinoff shows casualties in Australia’s precarious home-building sector have spread well beyond builders.
- Michael Bleby and Simon Evans
Housing developer Scape keeping builders afloat
Higher financing and construction costs are forcing builders’ clients to take on more cost risk, whether in student accommodation or office fit-outs.
- Updated
- Michael Bleby and Campbell Kwan
February
Gurner-Roberts merger decision likely by month’s end
The Rich List developer and builder could decide to push ahead – or not – with combining their two companies in the next two weeks.
- Michael Bleby and Larry Schlesinger
January
‘Unmanageable’ cost risks threaten renewables projects
In a country where supply chain and labour costs are more volatile, greater collaboration and risk-sharing is crucial for infrastructure and construction.
- Michael Bleby
December 2023
- Exclusive
- Construction
Meet the builder aiming for a 5pc profit margin
The global average EBIDTA margin for builders is 1.8pc, but Hickory boss Michael Argyrou says it’s time for developers to take on more risk.
- Michael Bleby
November 2023
Lingering risks turn subcontractors off residential work: Altus
The question of who carries what risks in a long and disparate construction supply chain could stop the development of much-needed new housing.
- Michael Bleby
Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, from lauded executive to public enemy
The Optus boss was earmarked for success from an early age. After a quick rise up the corporate ladder, will a second major incident in two years end that?
- Jemima Whyte
October 2023
Big builders argue against new federal payment rules
The Australian Constructors Association says the industry is no worse than any other at paying its bills, but the author of a key 2017 report disagrees.
- Michael Bleby
September 2023
Fortescue still bullish on Gabon iron ore dream in wake of coup
Fortescue executive Julie Shuttleworth will meet Gabonese coup leaders “imminently” as the miner tries to keep its African iron ore project on track.
- Peter Ker
August 2023
Queens Wharf consortium stops paying Multiplex bills
The Destination Brisbane Consortium claims delay payments of $123 million against the builder and is offsetting those against progress claim payments.
- Michael Bleby
Multiplex sues Star for $420 million over Queen’s Wharf delays
The builder’s statement of claim also details a dispute over the day of mourning for Queen Elizabeth’s death, saying the client was “not reasonable”.
- Michael Bleby
NAB reports $1.9b quarterly profit and a surprise buyback
NAB’s $1.5 billion share buyback reflects the bank’s strength, analysts said, defying concerns about deteriorating credit quality and margin pressures.
- Updated
- James Eyers
